PREV'ALENCE PREV'ALENCY, noun Superior strength, influence or efficacy; most efficacious force in producing an effect. The duke better knew what kind of arguments were of prevalence with him. 1. Predominance; most general reception or practice; as the prevalence of vice, or of corrupt maxims; the prevalence of opinion or fashion. 2. Most general existence or extension; as, the prevalence of a disease. 3. Success; as the prevalence of prayer.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI